Around The Fire Welcomes Today's Guest Linda Nightingale.

Today's blog almost didn't happen. But thankfully, Linda stepped in at the last minute to help me out. Please give her a warm welcome. 

Linda, thanks again for jumping in. I love the picture of the horse. He's gorgeous! While I grab some refreshments will you tell our other guest who you are other than your bio?
Well now, I’m a mother (both my boys are men with children of their own. One lives in England, and I’m visiting him next month. In Yorkshire, the weather will have started to be crisp. I have a cat, used to show horses (Andalusians) and bred them professionally. My stallion Bonito was twice National Champion. I’ve seen a lot of this country driving a pickup towing a horse trailer. I love to dress up and throw formal dinner parties. My current pet is a devilish black and white (tuxedo) cat named KitKat. That’s me in a nutshell. Oh, speaking of nuts, I feed a squirrel and his/her friends. If I don’t get them out soon enough, Bitsy (a runt squirrel) comes to my French doors and taps on the glass. Does anyone know how to tell a male from a female squirrel?

What interests besides writing do you enjoy? 
I like to read paranormal, sci-fi, and fantasy. The last book I read wasn’t any of these genres but straight romance published by my publisher. I was very good. I like to drive and am a member of a car club. Though I don’t ride anymore, I still love my horses. Music is a favorite. I enjoy the symphony, and other types, including country but I like the old style. 
 
I love a road trip too. Who is your network or support system?
I just joined Georgia Romance Writers and am already becoming active with them. I usually trade work with the excellent Beth Trissel and also with my friend author Toni V. Sweeney (sci-fi, horror and romance.  

Who or what books or authors are your inspiration?
I love Oscar Wilde, but I write nothing like him. Anne Rice started me on this path. I’m very devoted top the old gothic writers like Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt, and I have to mention Daphne du Maurier, and Katherine Kurtz, the first mystery, the second fantasy. I’m devoted to George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones series and can’t wait until the prequel the end of this month.

I cut my teeth on Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt. And who didn't fall a little in love with Lestat. Do you have any fun or outrageous talent?
Unfortunately, no. When I was showing, I could do a dressage test without the horse, practicing.  You should have seen me canter!

What is your neighborhood like?
My neighborhood is an older neighborhood. My house was built in 1947, but has been redone. The neighborhood is like that. The older homes are being beautifully renovated. There are no stores or businesses to frequent in my neighborhood.

If they made a movie about your life, what would the title be, and who would play you?
The World was Her Oyster (subtitled) But She Used The Wrong Fork. (Thanks Oscar Wilde),  Glenn Close, her first starring role in a comedy of errors.

If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be?
God Save the Queen. (kidding, I think) I’d like Pachelbel’s Canon. Nah. I like being the Queen better.

LOL I'd go with the queen too. If you could eat anything in the world right now, what would it be?
A watermelon shake from the Cookout.

Worst household chore?
Dusting

Yep, it always returns. If you could time travel, where would you go and when?
To meet Edward VIII Why? I’d like to meet firsthand a man who’d give up a throne for a woman.

Would you rather have unlimited international first-class tickets or never have to pay for food at restaurants?
The unlimited international first-class tickets!  I’d love to be able to see the world. Because the Andalusian horses originate in Spain, I’ve always wanted to visit. I’d love to go to Australia and New Zealand. It would be really super to visit my son first class.

Did you ever win something?
I did! I won $2,100 on the Queen of Hearts game, then later I won $110 in a drawing. The first one was a real surprise. I almost fainted. 

What subjects should be taught in school but aren’t?
I disagree with dropping cursive writing from the curriculum. How are people going to sign their names? If they don’t know it, they can’t read it, and not everyone prints. I think it is, in a way, a lost art.

I agree. Though I do like the comedian who said, "We'll be able to pass secret notes in the nursing home." How do you select the names of your characters?
They suggest their names.

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
I read all my book reviews, even those I’d rather wish away. I’d like to say that I learn a lot from such reviews, but when I get a really bad review, I go into I’ll never write again mode, and usually there a few gallons of tears. I call my support team and tell them about this troll.

What was your hardest scene to write?
In Sinners’ Opera, Isabeau (the heroine) had to leave Morgan (the hero). I’d come to love these characters, and I had to write this emotionally draining and grief scene from both characters’ POVs. I cried with Isabeau, and my heart  broke for Morgan. My husband at the time just didn’t understand why I was crying.

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
I subscribed to BookBrush, a program service that allows you to create your own book videos, covers, instant mockups, and advertising.  It’s also fun.  I subscribed in May, and I’ve made a trailer for every one of my Kindle Vella stories, ad memes, and I tried a book cover, but I haven’t learned that yet.

I so appreciate you graciously giving me your time today. Will you leave some information about where we can find out more about you and your books?​

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The Texas Cowboy
Return to Folly Book One
by 
Linda Nightingale

When Ash Colter was twelve, his mother divorced his cattle baron father and whisked him away to raise in her native England. Sixteen years later, when his father dies, he inherits Marathon Ranch. Running a 1,000-acre spread famous for the best Black Angus cattle in the great state of Texas is the biggest challenge he’s ever faced…until he meets a pert, pretty, and sassy ranch hand who seems to have her own agenda for his ranch. Unfortunately, she makes his spurs go jingle-jangle-jingle like no one else ever has!
Trish Owens is a real cowgirl, a loner, and, though she’d never admit it, a little lonely. When the “English Cowboy” appears on the scene, her entire way of life is threatened, not only her job, but her beloved Quarter horses. She’s sure he plans to import his thoroughbreds from England. Worse of all is the chemistry sizzling between them. He makes feelings she thought long dead awaken.
Can these two unwilling allies set aside their differences to put Marathon Ranch in the Winner’s Circle…and to fall in love?

Get your copy today.
https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Cowboy-Western-Return-Folly-ebook/dp/B09QP4C5NZ 

More about the author
Linda Nightingale is an award-winning author, writing across the genres in romance from vampires to androids to angels. Among others, she won the Georgia Romance Writers Magnolia Award for Excellence (the Maggie) and the SARA Merritt award. Her vampire books have been called the Anne Rice of paranormal romance. Once upon a time, she bred, trained, and showed the magnificent Andalusian horse and owned a national champion stallion, Bonito. You can find Linda on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. Her web site is: http://www.LindaNightingale.com
There you can browse her book offerings, read a free story, and sign up for her quarterly newsletter.

Social Media Links:
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LNightingale
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LindaNightingaleAuthor
Blog:  https://lindanightingale.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4839311.Linda_Nightingale
Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/lbnightingale1/
Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Nightingale/e/B005OSOJ0U
Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/linda.nightingale.52/

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